§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the cases arising from asylum applications made(a) prior to 1 July 1993 and (b) between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995 have been dealt with under the asylum backlog procedures; and what proportion of cases so dealt with have resulted in the granting of exceptional leave to remain. [86642]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienUp to the end of April 1999, a total of 2,840 cases have been decided under the asylum backlog procedures. 94 per cent. of decisions were grants of exceptional leave to remain.
2,075 of the decisions were made on asylum applications lodged prior to July 1993 and 765 decisions were made on applications lodged between July 1993 and the end of December 1995.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received on the means of arrival in the UK of asylum seekers granted refugee status or indefinite leave to remain; and what assessment he has made of the effect of the measures in the Immigration and Asylum Bill on the routes they have taken. [87021]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienAsylum applications are received from persons arriving at ports, persons who seek to enter, or who have entered, clandestinely and those who have entered lawfully for other purposes. It is not always possible to establish the means of arrival of asylum seekers. The Department does not collate specific records of the routings used by those granted refugee status or indefinite leave to remain. Measures in the Immigration and Asylum Bill contain powers designed to reduce the number of clandestine entrants and inadequately documented persons arriving in the United Kingdom. It is not the object of these measures to keep out genuine refugees. We remain firmly committed to dealing with asylum seekers in a way that complies with the United Kingdom's international obligations.